Seismometer.



, DEG

. WOOD S. B. STROTHER. ADMINISTRATOR.

SEISMOMETER.

APPLIOATION FILED 0012 21, 1907.

Patented. June 1, 1909.

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2'2 NORRIS PETERS co \vAsnmamu, o, c.

UNITED PATENT OFFliQhl.

JAMES M. WOOD, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI; SAM B. SflROTlI-IER, ADl'lINISTItATOR OF SAID WOOD, DECEASED, ASSIG'NOIL TO KA'llllQ'ltlh lfi (l. Shillllll, Ol KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SEISMOD'IE TEE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 21, 1907.

Patented June 1, 1909.

Serial No. 3953,4165.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, James M. Wooio, a citizen of the United States, residing at .hlansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seismometers, of which the following is a specification.

ivly invention relates to an improvement in seismometers.

The object of my invention to provide a novel apparatus for measuring undulations to earthquake shocks or other concussions and denoting the relative dynami c energy of such ui'idulations.

My invention is further adapted for use in determining the condition of a railway track.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrative of my inventionFigure 1 is a top view of the apparatus, a portion of the supporting frame being broken away. Fig. 2 is a ver tical transverse sectional view taken on the dotted line ab of Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the dotted line c-d of Fig. 6. Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken on the dotted line cf of Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a modification in which a weight instead of a spring is employed to retract the indicating tape. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken. on the dotted line h of Fig. 1.

Similar characters of reference denote similar parts.

1 denotes a rectangular framework to the inner side of one vertical end of which is socured one end of a substantially horizontal, vertically resilient and oscillatory bar 2.

3 denotes a horizontally resilient bar secured at one end to the opposite end of the frame 1. The bars 2 and are both preferably flat bars, the former having its edges in the same horizontal plane while the latter has its upper and lower edges disposed in a vertical plane.

1 denotes two weights mounted respectively upon the oscillatory bars 2 and 3 adjacent the free ends of said bars.

5 denotes a longitudinally movable metal tape, one end of which is secured to the periphery of a drum 5 mounted on a rotary horizontal shaft 6 supported in a framework 7, which in turn is so ported upon the inner side of one vertical sic e of the frame 1. The other end of the tape extends through a vertical slot on the inner side on the block. 8 secured at its lower end to the upper side of the frame 1..

F) denotes a vertical plate secured to the forward side of said block 8 and extending partly across the slot in the said block so as to retain the tape in said slot or groove. One edge of the tape 5 is provided. with ratchet teeth 10 in which respectively engage the free ends of two spring pawls 11. and 1.2.

The spring awl 11 is carried by the bar 2 and when osci lated therewith moves the tape 5 lengthwise in a vertical upward. direction. lhe pawl 11 is supported upon one end of a substantially horizontal plate 13, the other end of which is secured to a clip 14 mounted on the bar The pawl 12 is secured to a bracket 15 supported upon the adjacent vertical side of the frame 1. Extending through the said side of the frame 1 is a horizontal rotary shaft 16 to the periphery of which is secured. one set of ends of two cords 17 and 18, the other set of ends of which is secured respectively to the pawls 12 and 11 adjacent their free ends. By rotating the shaft 16 in the proper direction the spring pawls 11 and 12 maybe released from engagement with the teeth 10 of the tape 5 so that the tape 5 may be retracted after it has been moved lengthwise by the oscillations of the bar 2. Any desired means for rotating the shaft 6 so as to retract the tape 5 may be employed.

In the form shown. in Figs. 1 and 6 a spring is employed for this purpose, while in the modification shown in Fig. 5 a weight is employed to retract the tape.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 6 a pinion 19 is secured 011 the shaft 6 and meshes with a spur gear 20 rotatively mounted on the horizontal shaft 21, which in turn is 1'0- tatively mounted in the frame 7. Secured to the shaft 21 is a ratchet wheel 22 in the teeth of which engages a pawl 23, secured tc the spur gear 20. A coil spring 24 has one end secured to the shaft 21, the other end being secured to the frame 7. When the shaft 21 is rotated in the proper direction the spring 24 will be wound and will exert a pressure tending to rotate the spur gear 20 and through it and the pinion 19 the shaft 6 sc as to wind the tape 5 on the drum 5.

Rotatively mounted in the vertical sides of the frame 1 is a shaft 25 provided with z central crank portion 26 by which, when the shaft 25 is turned to the proper positiol'.

pa'wls 23, 23, and shafts 21. and 2-1, are dispensed with. On the shaft 6, or 6, as the case may be, a drum 44 is mounted. Secured to the periphery of the drum is one end of a cord 4.5, the other end of which is at tached to a weight 4-6. The cord 45 so disposed on the drum 44 that the weight 46 will exert a pressure tending to wind the tape 5, or 30, as the case may be, on the drum 5 or 81. The construction above described is illustrated in. Fig. 5.

In the operation of my invention the instrument is disposed with the bar in the horizontal position, the shafts 25 and 4 2 be ing turned to the positions, as represented in Figs. 2 and 6. This being done the bars 2 and 23 are tree to oscillate in. vertical and horizontal directions respectively. Vertical undulations due to earthquake shocks will cause vertical oscillation of the weight -l on the bar 2 relative to the frame 1. Such oscillation of the bar 2, will, as has been already described, reciprocate the pawl ll thus torcing the tape 5 from its initial position upard a distance corresponding to the num her and extent of the oscillations of the bar 2. In a corresponding manner the bar 3 will be oscillated in a horizontal plane by undulations traveling in a horizontal plane. Such oscillations of the bar 3 will force upward the tape 30 a distance corresponding to the ex tent and number of the oscillations of the bar 3, as has already been described.

To determine the condition of a railway road bed and track the instrument is placed with the bar 3 in a horizontalposition upon a car and the car run over the track to be tested. Vertical and horizontal oscillations of the car, due to inequalities in the track, will be transmitted respectively to the bars 2 and The oscillations of the bars 2 and 3 will, as has already been described, move the tapes 5 and 30 respectively in an upward direction, distances corresponding to the ex tent and number of oscillations. By comparing the distances moved by the tapes and 30 with the distances the tapes move when the car is run over a corresponding length of good track the relative condition of the track to be tested may be determined.

Various modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made in my invention without departing from its spirit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is 1. In a seismometer, the combination with an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, a lengthwise movable tape, means actuated by said support by which said tape is moved lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated, means for normally holding the tape against retraction and means for retracting said tape in the opposite direction.

2. In a seismometer, the combination with an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said. support, a longitiulinally movable tape, means actuated by said support by which said tape is moved lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated, means for indicating the distance moved by such tape in said direction, means for normally holding the tape against retraction. and means for retracting the tape in the opposite direction.

3. In a seismometer, the combination with. an oscillatory support, of a weigl'it carried by said support, a longitudinally movable tape, and a device oscillative with said support for moving the tape lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated.

4-. in a seismomcter, the combination. with an oscillatory support, ol a weight carried by said. support, a longitudinally movable tape, a device oscillative with said support to: moving the tape lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated, and means for indicating the distance moved by such tape in said direction.

5. In a seismometer, the combination with an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, a longitudinally movable tape, a device oscillative with said support for proving the tape lengthwise in. one direction when said support is oscillated, means for in.- dicating the distance moved by such tape in said direction, means for norn'ially holding the tape against retraction and means for retracting the tape in the opposite direction.

6. In a seismometer, the combination witl' an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, a longitudinally movable tape having a series of transverse graduations, ait indicator l or successively indicating sucl graduations when the tape is moved length wise, and means actuated by said support by which said tape is moved lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated.

7. In a seismometer, the combination witl' an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, a lengthwise movable tape having a series of transverse graduations, an indicator for successively denoting sai l graduations when the tape is moved lengthwise, means actuated by said support by which said tape is moved lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated means l'or normally holding the tape againsi retraction an d means for retracting said tap in the opposite direction.

8. In a seismometer, the combination witl an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, a longitudinally movable tapr provided with a longitudinal row of ratche' teeth, a pawl carried by said. support and en gaging with the teeth of said tape for moving the tape lengthwise in one direction wher said support is oscillated, and means for in dicating the distance moved by said tape.

9. In a seismometer, the combin at-ion. with oscillatory support, of a weight carried by id support, a longitudinally movable tape ovidcd with a longitudinal row of ratchet 2th, a pawl engaging said ratchet teeth an d rried by said support for moving the tape igthwise in one ;lirection when said suprt is oscillated, in ans for retracting the 7c in the opposite direction, and a pawl rmally holding the tape against etracn.

10. in seismoineter, the combination th an oscillatory s i port, of a weight card by said. suppo t, a longitiulinally mow le tape provided with a lilu tudinal row ratchet teeth, a pawl engaging said ratchet :th and carried by said support for moving 2 tape lengthwise in one direction when d support is oscillated, means for indicat the distance of movement oi said tape in 3 said one direction, means for retracting a tape in the opposite direction, and a resable pawl l'or normally holding said tape- ;iinst retraction.

1]. In a seisnionieter, the combination th an oscillatory support, of a weight card by said support, a longitudinally movle tape having a longitudinal row of .chet teeth, two pawls engaging said .chet teeth, one pawl car 'ied by said suprt for moving the tape lengthwise in one nation when said support is oscillated, the nu pawl normally holding said tape rinst retraction, means 'l'or retracting said ie when. said pawls are released therefrom, 1 means l'or simultaneously releasing the wls from engagement with said ratchet th.

12. in a seismoincter, the combination. :h an oscillatm'y support, of a weight card by said support, a lengthwise movable e having a row ol transverse graduations l provided with a longitudinal row o'lf chetteeth, an indicator for successively ioting said transverse graduations, two w'ls engaging said ratchet teeth, one pawl 'ried by said support l'or moving the tape gthwise in. one direction u- 'hen said sup- :t is oscillated, the other pawl normally .ding the tape against retraction, means retracting said tape, and means i'or resing said pawls from said ratchet teeth l3. In a seisniometer, the combination :h an oscillatorj support, oi a w 'ht car- :l by said supp, s, a lcnctlm'iso lovable e having a longitudinal row of rhet th, two pawls normally engagii sa d ehet teeth, one pawl being carried b said )port for moving the tape lrn'igthnse in a direction, the other pawl normally holdsaid tape against retraction in the op po- 2 direction, means for retracting said tape said opposite direction, indicating means denoting the distance of movement of d tape, and means lor simultaneously releasing the said pawls lrom engagement with said ratchet teeth.

1%. in so lflOll'lG'tGl', the combination with an oscillatory support, of a weight can ied by said support, lengthwise movable tape having a longitudinal row of ratchet teeth, two pawls normally engaging said ratchet teeth, one pawl being carried by said support for moving the tape lengthwise in one direction, the other pawl normally holding said tape against retraction in the opposite direction, means for retracting said tape in said opposite direction, imlicating means for dcnotii Y the distance of movement'o'l' id. tape, a rotary shaft and. two cords sccured at one set of ends to the periphery of said shalt and connected at the other set of ends with said pawls respectively for withdrawing said pawls from engagement with said ratchet teeth when said shalt is rotated in the proper direction.

15. in a seisinoineter, the combination .vith an oscillatory support, of a wcigat carried by said support, a lengthwise movable tape, means actuated by said support 'l'or moving the tape lengthwise in one direction when said support is oscillated, releasable means for holding said tape against retraction in the opposite direction, means for retracting said. tape in the opposite direction, and releasable means for holding said support against oscillation.

16. ln scismoinetcr, the combination with. two supports oscillativc in planes at right angles to each other, of two weights carried by said supports respectively, two lengthwise movable tapes, and means actuated by said supports respectively by which said tapes are moved lci'igthwise in one di rection when said supports are respectively oscillated.

17. In a seisrnometer, the combination with two supports oscillative in planes at right angles to each other, of two weights carried by said supports respectively, two lengthwise movable tapes, means actuated by said supports respectively by which said. tapes are moved lengthwise in one direction when said supports are respectively oscillated, and two indicating means for denoting the distance moved by said tapes respectivcly.

18. In a scisinometer, the combination with two supports oscillative in planes at right angles to each other, of two weights carried by said support respectively, two lengthwise movable tapes means actuated by said supports respectively by which said tapes are moved lengthwise respectively in one direction when said supports are oscilla-ted, means for normally holding the tape against retraction and means for retracting said tapes in the opposite direction.

19. In a seisinoineter, the combination with two supports oscillative in planes at right angles to each other, ol two weights carried by said supports respectively, two longtlnvise movable tapes, means actuated by said supports respectively by which said tapes are moved. lengthwise respectively in one direction when said supports are respectively oscillated, separate means for normall y holding said tapes against retraction, separate means for respectively retracting said tapes, two indicating means "for denoting the lengthwise movement of said tapes, and means for releasing said tapes from said holding means.

20. In a seismometer, the combination. with a support oscillative in a vertical plane, of a weight carried by said support, a length wise movable tape having a longitudinal row of ratchet teeth, and a reciprocative pawl engaging said ratchet teeth actuated by said support.

21. In a seismometer, the combination with an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, an indicating tape, means for moving said tape lengthwise in one direction when the said support is oscillated releasable means for holding said tape from moving lengthwise in the opposite direction, spr' 1g, and means by which when. the tape is released from said holding .means, the spring will retract said tape in said opposite direction.

22. l n a scisinoinetcr, the combination with an oscillatory support, of a weight carried by said support, an indicating tape having a longitudinal row of ratchet teeth, a pawl engaging said ratchet teeth for moving the tape lengthwise in one direction, means by which the pawl is recipr'ocated when the support is oscillated, releasable means lor holding the tape from being moved lengthwise in the opposite direction, a spring, and. means by which when the said holding means is released from said tape, the spring will retract said tape in said opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I have slgned my name to this specification in presence 01' two subscribing witnesses.

JAMEs M. WOOD.

Witnesses E. B. HOUSE, E. A. CAHILL. 

